Everything about Christian Febiger totally explained
Col.
Hans Christian Febiger (or
Fibiger) (
19 October 1749 on
Funen Denmark -
September 20 1796 in
Philadelphia Pennsylvania) was an American
Revolutionary War commander, confidante of General
George Washington and an original member of the
Society of the Cincinnati. Known by the moniker "Old Denmark", Febiger also served as Treasurer of Pennsylvania from
November 13,
1789 until his death nearly seven years later.
Early life
Febiger was born on
Funen Island in
Denmark in 1749. After receiving a military education in Europe (possibly in
Copenhagen), he journeyed with his uncle, somewhere in the late 1750s or 1760s, to the Danish possession of Santa Cruz (now known as
St. Croix), where the latter had been appointed governor. Febiger is next known to have traveled through the American colonies and was engaged in several businesses when the American Revolution started. Febiger quickly joined with the Massachusetts
Militia following the Lexington Alarm and fell under the command of Col.
Samuel Gerrish.
Revolutionary War Service
Febiger next became engaged in the
Battle of Bunker Hill and proved a capable commander at several battles throughout
New England. Febiger was soon afterward appointed to accompany General
Benedict Arnold on his Quebec Expedition, which eventually led to the infamous
Battle of Quebec. During the raid on
December 31,
1775, Febiger was taken prisoner by the British and held captive in and around New York City until January 1777.
After his release, Febiger re-joined the
Continental forces as the lieutenant colonel of the
11th Virginia Regiment under the command of Col.
Daniel Morgan.
Febiger and his regiment fought with the
Continental Army in the
Philadelphia campaign before moving on to other engagements. Following his performance at the
Battle of Brandywine Febiger was promoted to the rank of colonel on
September 26,
1777 and took command of the
2nd Virginia Regiment, a post he held until the end of the war (though it's speculated that he didn't accept his Colonelcy until after the battle of
Germantown (see below).
In later parts of the
Revolutionary War Col. Febiger commanded the
2nd Virginia Regiment through several significant battles, and also fought with
Major General Nathanael Greene at
Germantown and later at the
Battle of Monmouth and
Battle of Stony Point.
Febiger later served under General
Peter Muhlenberg as a recruiting coordinator for the State of
Virginia, and oversaw much of the shipment of supplies through the battle lines after being removed to Philadelphia. As with most of his military service, Febiger distinguished himself as master of the stores and transport of much of the Continental supply.
Febiger's military career for much of the rest of the War was engaged in his recruiting and oversight efforts, however, he was present at the
Battle of Yorktown and the official surrender of General
Cornwallis.
Colonel Febiger finally retired from active duty, following eight years of service to the Revolutionary cause, on
January 1,
1783. He was officially discharged from the
Continental Army on
November 30th. During that period, the
Continental Congress conferred to Febiger the rank of
Brigadier General by
brevet. Febiger, however, never truly assumed that title saying, it's " more to one's business advantage's in America to be known as 'Colonel.'"
Later life
Following the war, "Old Denmark" settled in
Philadelphia and engaged in several business ventures, many of which proved rather successful. Febiger also joined the Virginia branch of the
Society of the Cincinnati, but later switched his affiliation to the Pennsylvania group. After briefly serving as Auctioneer of the
Northern Liberties of Philadelphia (succeeding
David Rittenhouse), he eventually came to hold the post of
Treasurer for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and was appointed to that post for every successive year until he died in 1796 (the cause of death isn't quite clear). According to the
Sons of the American Revolution, Pennsylvania Society, website, Febiger is buried in the historic
Mount Vernon Cemetery in Philadelphia.
Personal life and trivia
Col. Febiger was married to the former Miss Elizabeth Carson and though they'd "no issue" by this marriage, they adopted Mrs. Febiger's nephew, Christian Carson Febiger (son of Dr. John Carson, a trustee of the
University of Pennsylvania).
Febiger is listed in a February 1942 newspaper article under the
Ripley's Believe it or Not! section as having been the "only soldier who took part in every important battle of the Revolutionary War from Bunker Hill to Yorktown."
Febiger was the grandfather of the Civil War hero, Admiral
John Carson Febiger who later became
Commandant of the
Washington Navy Yard and is buried in
Arlington Cemetery.
Further Information
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